The Philippines continues to acquire military
equipment for its continued modernization program.
Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin
Lorenzana would be asking president Rodrigo Roa Duterte for an exemption of his
order for the Philippines’ loan with Australia with respect to its possible
government to government (GTG) loan agreement for the building of 6
offshore patrol vessels for the Philippine Navy.
Delfin said he would ask for an exemption from the
President should the Australian government approves the loan agreement.
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“If we give it to them, they will employ more
Filipinos. I think this is a very good case [for exemption] to the memo of the
president,” Delfin said in the
senate hearing
The said vessels will be built in Cebu, where Australian
shipbuilder Austal has a presence. It will also employ a lot of Filipino skilled
workers, the Defense chief said.
Australia is one of the 18 countries that supported
the Iceland led resolution calling for the Philippines review on its war on
drugs.
Malacanang has repeatedly denied any involvement in
summary killings, saying drug suspects were slain in a valid and legitimate police
operation and that resisted arrest.
Further, the Palace has described the said UNHRC
resolution as nothing “designed to embarrass” the Philippines.
The PN’s OPV
The Offshore patrol Vessel (OPV) project are part of Horizon Two of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines Modernization Program (AFPMP) and expected to replace the World War
II corvettes and minesweepers still in PN service as of this time.
Austal is offering a larger version of its 80-meter
Cape-class patrol vessels being used by the Royal Australian Navy and Australian
Border Force. Defense Chief Lorenzana said the PN is preferring a
government-to-government (GTG) approach in acquiring the vessels.
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Report from ABS-CBN News
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